Without power, people populating Bridgeport restaurants

Updated 11:55 pm, Thursday, November 1, 2012

Since many places still have no power because of Hurricane Sandy, people have been gathering at hot spots like Barnum Public House in downtown Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday November 1, 2012. Enjoying an evening out are Bridgeport residents (L to R) Emma Speer, Gigi Speer, James Speer, their mom Claire Mastromonaco, and step father Ralph Venturini.

Since many places still have no power because of Hurricane Sandy, people have been gathering at hot spots like Barnum Public House in downtown Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday November 1, 2012. Enjoying an evening

Since many places still have no power because of Hurricane Sandy, people have been gathering at hot spots like the Blue Martini bar inside the Holiday Inn in downtown Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday November 1, 2012. Bartender Sarah Simonelli prepares a customer's drink. less

Since many places still have no power because of Hurricane Sandy, people have been gathering at hot spots like the Blue Martini bar inside the Holiday Inn in downtown Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday November 1, ... more

Since many places still have no power because of Hurricane Sandy, people like Sharon and Matt Breslow, of Milford, have been gathering at hot spots like Two Boots in downtown Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday November 1, 2012. less

Since many places still have no power because of Hurricane Sandy, people like Sharon and Matt Breslow, of Milford, have been gathering at hot spots like Two Boots in downtown Bridgeport, Conn. on Thursday ... more

BRIDGEPORT -- Dogs were barking, children were crying and the lights were out.

It was the height of Hurricane Sandy and Sarah Simonelli, a bartender at the Blue Martini Lounge in the Holiday Inn, was at the start of what would become the longest shift of her life. The power went out in the hotel for a few seconds Monday night, plunging the hotel that had become home to hundreds of people into darkness, before generators provided a bit of light.

Thursday night the power was back and Simonelli. 26, was still behind the bar, serving customers she has seen three or four times since Monday.

"We're on a first-name basis," Simonelli said. "I've been shocked by how everyone has really come together. It's almost like a family here now, a community. There aren't really any disgruntled customers, people have been very generous and understanding."

Sandy caused destruction across the Connecticut shoreline, but it also sent hundreds of people out looking for a warm place to have a meal and a few drinks.

The Holiday Inn -- a pet friendly hotel on Main Street in Bridgeport -- has been full since Monday, and its occupants have been trying to escape cabin fever since then, exploring the downtown area, as well as hanging out in the Blue Martini. Restaurants like the Barnum Publick House and Two Boots have seen more people coming in on weeknights than ever before.

Simonelli -- whose home in Milford doesn't have power -- has been living at the hotel since Monday. She said her manager told her to bring a bag, and she hasn't gone home since. But it's been worth it. Simonelli has made more than $500 in tips since the storm struck.

At the Barnum Publick House on Broad Street, Claire Mastromonaco, a city resident and teacher at Geraldine Johnson School, came for a night out with her family to escape their house, where they have been riding out the storm since Monday, when they lost power. It was also a bit of celebration; they got power back Thursday.

"My kids don't have school (Friday) and we had a bit of cabin fever after being in our house for four days," said Mastromonaco, sitting in a corner booth with her kids, Emma, Gigi and James, and husband, Ralph. "We love Bridgeport and want to patronize the businesses here as often as we can."

Thomas Siano, the general manager at the Broad Street eatery, said he has seen new faces, as well as regulars, since the storm. They had a Halloween party Tuesday night and hosted one of their largest crowds since they opened earlier this year. Siano said most people, unable to cook at home, are looking for a good meal.

"We are happy to accommodate," Siano said. "We've had a lot of people calling to see if we're open, since other restaurants still don't have power back."

Over at Two Boots on Fairfield Avenue, Assistant Manager Nicole Lebel said the restaurant has been "slammed" with customers, especially Tuesday night when power outages were most widespread around the Bridgeport area.

Lebel said people from all around the area -- Fairfield, Trumbull, Westport and Bridgeport -- who are staying at the Holiday Inn came in to eat and get out of their hotel rooms. Others who live in Bridgeport and are without power just wanted a few simple things.

"They are looking for a place to watch TV -- we stayed open until 2 a.m. last night so people could keep watching -- and to use the bathroom," Lebel said.

Thursday night the restaurant was busy, people sitting at the bar, others at tables and some picking up pizza to take home. Matt and Sharon Breslow, of Milford, came to get out of their flood-damaged, powerless, cold house and to avoid a meal of pasta cooked in a pot on their grill.

Lebel said the business has been booming since they got power back Tuesday morning.

"There have been a lot of new people here," Lebel said. "Almost everyone I talked to Tuesday was here for the first time."